Policy / Systems / Technology

November 12, 2004

 

Environment Ministry Publishes Guidebook for PRTR Pollutant Data

Keywords: Chemicals Government Policy / Systems 

The Japanese Ministry of the Environment recently released a guidebook, based on Japan's Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system, that provides comprehensive explanations of PRTR data, which it has been publishing since March 2003.

The PRTR system covers 354 designated chemicals that have the potential to be hazardous to human health or ecosystems. Businesses are required to report the quantities emitted to the environment and transferred off-site, such as through sewage systems or industrial waste. The government then compiles this data and publishes it annually.

Responding to the public's growing concern over the effects on human health and the environment of various kinds of chemicals in common use, the guidebook is designed to help people understand more about chemicals in terms of their own individual concerns.

The latest edition includes comparisons between PRTR data for fiscal 2002 (published March 2004) and 2001. It consists of seven chapters written to help people learn about hazardous chemicals in common use, through PRTR data:
(1) Our Daily Lives and Chemicals
(2) What is PRTR?
(3) How to Obtain PRTR Data
(4) How to Read PRTR Data
(5) How to Use PRTR Data
(6) How to Reduce Chemical Pollution
(7) How to Learn More



Posted: 2004/11/12 03:17:00 PM
Japanese version

 

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